The Effect of Phase Structure on the Tribological Properties of PA66/HDPE Blends

Abstract

AbstractSummary: In this paper, immiscible, partially miscible and miscible blends of polyamide 66 (PA66) and high density polyethylene (HDPE) were obtained by changing compatibilizer concentrations. Mechanical and tribological properties of materials were tested. It was found that the addition of compatibilizer greatly improved the mechanical properties of PA66/HDPE blends. The wear of PA66/HDPE blends was strongly affected by the phase structure. The best blend for lower friction coefficient and higher wear resistance was the blend with a miscible structure, which significantly improved the tribological properties of PA66 and HDPE. SEM investigations on the worn surface and the steel counterface indicated that, for the immiscible and partially miscible blend systems, the dispersed HDPE particles were pulled out from the worn surfaces during sliding because of the poor adhesion between HDPE and PA66, while this was not observed in the miscible blend system.SEM micrograph of the worn surface formed by PA66/HDPE blend without HDPE‐g‐MAH.magnified imageSEM micrograph of the worn surface formed by PA66/HDPE blend without HDPE‐g‐MAH.